Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have seized and destroyed more than $9 million worth of cannabis and charged a man from Sydney’s north-west, as part of ongoing investigations into the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
In November 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Harthouse to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.
As part of ongoing investigations, strike force detectives identified a property in East Kurrajong being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.
Detectives executed a search warrant at the property last October (2020), where they seized more than 3,000 cannabis plants worth an estimated $9.1 million, which have since been destroyed.
Following extensive inquiries, a 40-year-old man attended Windsor Police Station about 11am yesterday (Wednesday 13 October 2021), where he was charged with knowingly take part-cultivate more than large commercial quantity – cannabis.
Police will allege in court the man – who was employed as a maintenance worker on the property – discovered the cannabis crop after it was abandoned in September 2020 and continued to take part in the cultivation of the plants.
The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Thursday 14 October 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Harthouse continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
